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sports Thursday 27 January 2022
Winning ways: Are the Chiefs suddenly the NFL’s new dynasty?

By DAVE SKRETTA right now, we’re moving
AP Sports Writer onto Cincinnati. There’s no
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — time to wait. ... It’s impor-
The Kansas City Chiefs have tant that we got on that
won six straight AFC West and make sure our bases
titles, something never be- are covered.”
fore accomplished, and will That doesn’t mean others
be hosting a record fourth can’t — and won’t — opine
consecutive conference on the subject. After all, dy-
championship game when nasties are purely subjec-
Cincinnati visits Arrowhead tive. The textbook defini-
Stadium on Sunday. tion, at least from Merriam-
They’ve been to the past Webster, is that they involve
two Super Bowls. Won a “a sports franchise which
championship. Set so many has a prolonged run of suc-
league-best marks behind cessful seasons,” though in
the unparalleled play of truth that doesn’t define
Patrick Mahomes and the anything.
brilliant coaching of Andy How successful? And for
Reid that the rest of the NFL how long?
has ample reason to be Here are some facts: The
jealous. So, are the Chiefs Chiefs have won six straight
following in the footsteps home playoff games, one
of the Patriots as the next Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) celebrates with teammates after catching an 8-yard of the 10 longest streaks
football dynasty? touchdown pass during overtime in an NFL divisional round playoff football game against the since the 1970 AFL-NFL
Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022, in Kansas City, Mo.
Or, are they just the latest Associated Press merger. They are among
“it” team that everyone seven franchises to reach
wants to watch? opportunity we’re given.” win laughingstock of the haven’t had another los- four straight conference
“I think it was 2008 or 2009 Perhaps that’s because league. ing season. The past seven title games, and the first
that (Chiefs chairman) they don’t have to look far They soon began the have ended in the playoffs, to host all of them. A third
Clark Hunt made the state- into their history to remem- search for a new coach, the past four in the confer- straight Super Bowl appear-
ment that we’re going to ber what it’s like to live at and in a case of coinci- ence championship game ance would match the Dol-
strive to create an orga- the bottom. dence or fate, the Eagles and, with a win over the phins of Don Shula in the
nization that consistently When Hunt made that bold had just moved on from Bengals on Sunday, the early ‘70s and the Patriots
competes for champion- proclamation, the Chiefs their own. Hunt quickly flew past three would be in the of Bill Belichick from 2016-
ships,” team president were a floundering fran- to Philadelphia and met Super Bowl. 18 as the only franchises to
Mark Donovan recalled this chise that hadn’t won a with Reid, refused to let him But is nearly a decade make that many in a row
week, “and here we are, playoff game in more than out of the room without of relative dominance with at least one victory.
hosting our fourth straight two decades. And they agreeing to come to Kan- enough to call the Chiefs a (Yes, the Bills went to four
championship. Never been hadn’t even bottomed sas City, and in one week- dynasty? straight Super Bowls. With-
done before. It’s special out, either. That came a end changed the course of Don’t count on Reid to haz- out winning one, are they
times to be a Chiefs fan, few years later when, dur- the organization. ard a guess. worthy of being called a
and special times to be ing a season in which a The Chiefs went from two “Listen, I might down the dynasty?)
part of this organization. I player killed himself in the wins to 11 the very next road somewhere,” he said Of course, there are some
know Andy says it, and I’ll practice facility parking lot, year, one of the great turn- of putting the past few NFL dynasties that are diffi-
say it: We’re grateful for this the Chiefs were the two- arounds in NFL history, and years into perspective, “but cult to debate.q

Off-line: Browns’ Mayfield planning hiatus from

social media

By TOM WITHERS keting inquiries. Mayfield recently media as “keyboard warriors.”
AP Sports Writer concluded a dreadful, injury-filled The 26-year-old Mayfield injured his
CLEVELAND (AP) — As he recovers fourth season with the Browns, who left, non-throwing shoulder in Week
from shoulder surgery, Cleveland were among the NFL’s most disap- 2 while trying to make a tackle and
Browns quarterback Baker May- pointing teams. Cleveland went struggled all season. He recently
field plans to rest his thumbs as well. 8-9, missed the playoffs and dealt underwent surgery in Los Angeles
Mayfield said he’s going to take a with drama, much of it involving for a torn labrum and is expected
break from “all social media for the Mayfield. Late in the season, May- to need more than four months to
foreseeable future.” field went on Twitter to dispel a sto- recover.
Ironically, the polarizing QB went ry about issues between him and The team said he should begin light
on his Instagram page Wednesday coach Kevin Stefanski. He called throwing in April.
to announce his hiatus from tweet- the report “clickbait” and added Following the season, both Stefan-
ing and posting. “many other Cleveland local me- ski and Browns general manager
“Gotta do what’s best to focus on dia continue to be drama stirring Andrew Berry publicly supported
me, my family and loved ones,” reporters with no sources or facts.” Mayfield by saying they believe
Mayfield wrote. “Appreciate all Mayfield’s wife, Emily, also used he will bounce back next season Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker
the support. Time to get right.” her Twitter platform to claim he as their starter. However, it’s likely Mayfield (6) looks to pass against the
Mayfield concluded his message received death threats. Mayfield the team will at least explore other Pittsburgh Steelers during the first half
by also including a contact for downplayed those and described options at quarterback during this an NFL football game, Monday, Jan. 3,
2022, in Pittsburgh.
anyone making business or mar- his attackers and critics on social offseason.q Associated Press